Thirstin Howl III
Encyclopedia
Thirstin Howl III is a New York-based hip hop artist of Puerto Rican descent from Brownsville, Brooklyn. In 1997 he was the winner of The Source Magazine's
Unsigned Hype Award. Thirstin is an accomplished freestyler
and Battle emcee.
character Thurston Howell, III, rapper Thirstin Howl III's rhymes are usually delivered in a nasal tone that veers between braggadocious and melancholic (regardless of his subject matter). He is considered a battle emcee at heart, and as a result, most of his material has an over-exaggerated, almost comic bent to it. His subject matter usually revolves around themes such as guns, women, petty thefts, pickpocketing
, shoplifting
, mugging
and burglary
, and always in an absurdly melodramatic style (For example: "Stick you up with a safety pin or lit Roman Candles
!" or "These fingers here could pickpocket a grass skirt!"). Also, as a founding member of New York's infamous Lo-Life gang, notorious in the 80s and 90s for only wearing Polo
clothing or other brands of Ralph Lauren
clothing that they would boost
or steal, he would also include this fashion sense into his raps. He also often raps about his many baby mothers. He has since renounced theft and his later material contains far fewer references to shoplifting. His sense of humour and wit are notable in much of his material. Howl frequently utilizes a Spanglish flow in which English and Spanish words are blended within individual lines. Another characteristic trait of his rhyme style is the use of exaggerated pronunciation to create seeming rhymes among words that are not even near rhymes (e.g. "a socio with illegal negocios / 9 inch nail your coffin after it slowly close / make the Latin language sound similar to that of Portugal/").
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
Unsigned Hype Award. Thirstin is an accomplished freestyler
Freestyle rap
Freestyle rap commonly refers to rap lyrics which are improvised through a acapella or with instrumental beats, i.e. performed with no previously composed lyrics, or "off the top of the head"...
and Battle emcee.
Delivery and Content
Taking his name from the Gilligan's IslandGilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island is an American television series created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz and originally produced by United Artists Television. The situation comedy series featured Bob Denver; Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus; Natalie Schafer; Tina Louise; Russell Johnson; and Dawn Wells. It aired for...
character Thurston Howell, III, rapper Thirstin Howl III's rhymes are usually delivered in a nasal tone that veers between braggadocious and melancholic (regardless of his subject matter). He is considered a battle emcee at heart, and as a result, most of his material has an over-exaggerated, almost comic bent to it. His subject matter usually revolves around themes such as guns, women, petty thefts, pickpocketing
Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing is a form of larceny that involves the stealing of money or other valuables from the person of a victim without their noticing the theft at the time. It requires considerable dexterity and a knack for misdirection...
, shoplifting
Shoplifting
Shoplifting is theft of goods from a retail establishment. It is one of the most common property crimes dealt with by police and courts....
, mugging
Robbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
and burglary
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
, and always in an absurdly melodramatic style (For example: "Stick you up with a safety pin or lit Roman Candles
Roman Candles
Roman Candles is a short film by Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. filmmaker John Waters starring Divine, Mary Vivian Pearce, David Lochary, Mink Stole, and Maelcum Soul....
!" or "These fingers here could pickpocket a grass skirt!"). Also, as a founding member of New York's infamous Lo-Life gang, notorious in the 80s and 90s for only wearing Polo
Polo
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
clothing or other brands of Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...
clothing that they would boost
Shoplifting
Shoplifting is theft of goods from a retail establishment. It is one of the most common property crimes dealt with by police and courts....
or steal, he would also include this fashion sense into his raps. He also often raps about his many baby mothers. He has since renounced theft and his later material contains far fewer references to shoplifting. His sense of humour and wit are notable in much of his material. Howl frequently utilizes a Spanglish flow in which English and Spanish words are blended within individual lines. Another characteristic trait of his rhyme style is the use of exaggerated pronunciation to create seeming rhymes among words that are not even near rhymes (e.g. "a socio with illegal negocios / 9 inch nail your coffin after it slowly close / make the Latin language sound similar to that of Portugal/").
Solo Albums
- Skillionaire (1999)
- Skillosopher (2000)
- Serial Skiller (2001)
- Skilligan's IslandSkilligan's IslandSkilligan's Island is the most recognized release from Thirstin Howl III. The album features appearances by Howl's crew, as well an appearance from Eminem....
(2002) - Licensed To Skill (2003)
- Skillitary (2004)
- La CuraLa CuraLa Cura is the sixth album by Puerto Rican-American rapper Thirstin Howl III, released on his own Skillionaire Enterprises label.-Track listing:# "La Cura " # "The Tatequeto" # "Ya No Vale Nah" # "Keep It Goya"...
(2006) - Chuletas Con Tostones (2009)
- Natural Born Skiller (2011)
Group Albums
- Alaskan Fishermen: Fire & Ice with Father Time & GodForbid (2004)
- Side Brooklyn with Side BrokSide BrokSide Brok is a Norwegian rap group from Ørsta, in western Norway. The members of Side Brok are Sjef R, his alter ego Thorstein Hyl III, Skatebård, Tore B, Odd G and Tunk.-Discography:*Side Brok EP *Høge Brelle *Side Brooklyn EP...
(2005) - Lo Down & Dirty with Rack-Lo (2007)
- untitled with Sadat-X (coming 2009)
External links
- VH1 bio
- 1999 interview
- New Times: Thirstin Howl III Speaks - Interview & Feature article about Thirstin
- Music samples
- Video for "Con Calma" YouTube.com